Coming, a 2,000mw power plant in Ghatampur
TNN, Mar 21, 2010,
LUCKNOW: Central government’s Mini Ratna, the Nayveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLCL), is all set to rub off some shine onto Uttar Pradesh’s shores. Once the UP government clears the finer details for the project, the public sector enterprise will commission a 2,000 mw coal-based power plant in Ghatampur area of Kanpur Dehat and cater to UP’s power-starved acres.

‘‘The UP government had invited us to set up a coal-based power project in February 2008. However, it took time to identify the site and work out the finer details. Now, over 2,000 hectares of barren and ravine land have been identified in Ghatampur where the plant will be set up,’’ says AR Ansari, NLCL chairman and managing director. To be established as a joint venture with the Government of UP, the power sharing agreement between the government and NLCL has being referred to as ‘‘under active consideration’’.

Confirming the development, UP energy secretary and chairman-cum-managing director of UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) Navneet Sehgal said: ‘‘Yes it is true that the proposal is under consideration. It is likely to be cleared in a little over a month. Since the state faces an acute power shortage, we would have liked more power to remain with the state. However, NLCL has offered 75 percent of the power produced to the UP government. We are working out the details.’’

While the additional production of power itself comes as good news for the state, consumers will have to wait for a considerable period before they can reap the benefits.